Queen Gonghye (Korean:공혜왕후;Hanja:恭惠王后; 17 November 1456 – 9 May 1474), of the Cheongju Han clan, personal name Han Song-yi, was the first wife of King Seongjong, the ninth monarch of Joseon, and the younger sister of Queen Jangsun. She was queen of Joseon from 1470 until her death in 1474.
Biography
Early life and lineage
The future Queen Gonghye was born during the reign of King Sejo, as the legitimate youngest daughter among one son and four daughters. Her father was Han Myeong-hoe, the famed kingmaker who would later become chief state councilor, and her mother was a lady from the illustrious Yeoheung Min clan. She also had eight brothers and three sisters of concubine birth.
On her paternal side, she was a second cousin once removed of Queen Jeonghyeon, a fourth cousin once removed of Queen Insu, and a fifth cousin of Queen Ansun, while on her maternal side, she was a second cousin of Queen Jeongsun.
Marriage
In 1467, at the age of 10, Lady Han married 9-year-old Yi Hyeol, the younger son of the late Crown Prince Uigyeong and a grandson of the reigning King Sejo.
According to Lady Han's epitaph, it was King Sejo who selected her as a royal bride, but it has also been said that it was actually Yi Hyeol's mother, Crown Princess Su, who sought to make Lady Han her daughter-in-law after seeing her through a window.
In 1470, with Han Myeong-hoe's influence, Yi Hyeol succeeded his uncle, King Yejong (who was also Lady Han's former brother-in-law), and became the ninth monarch of Joseon (posthumously King Seongjong). Lady Han thus became queen. She was strictly educated according to Confucian ethics by her mother-in-law and read books such as Biographies of Exemplary Women. When Lady Han couldn't become pregnant, King Seongjong took concubines. Without despising the women, Lady Han presented them with clothes and jewelry.
In 1473, she moved to her parents' home due to illness and Seongjong visited every other day in order to check on her condition. She later recovered and returned to the palace, but her illness flared up again within months. Because her health did not improve, Lady Han requested to move her residence to Changdeokgung, and Seongjong and the three dowager queens (Jaseong, Insu and Inhye) tended to her. Her parents were also granted permission to enter the palace and look after their daughter; before her death, Lady Han urged them to eat as she knew they had been starving themselves for days while staying by her side.
Death
Lady Han died without issue, six months before her 18th birthday. She was buried within Sulleung (술릉), today part of the Samneung Cluster in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Her elder sister, Queen Jangsun, is buried in the same area.
King Seongjong conferred upon her the posthumous nameGonghye (공혜), praising her for obediently and respectfully serving her in-laws ("gong"), and for her generosity, gentleness and benevolence ("hye"). In 1498, during Yeonsangun's reign, Lady Han's posthumous name was enhanced by adding Hwiui Sinsuk (휘의신숙;lit.''glorious restrain, prudent solemnity'').
↑Married Shin Ju (신주; 1434–1456) from the Goryeong Shin clan (고령 신씨); eldest son of Shin Suk-ju and half-brother of Sugwon Shin (숙원 신씨; consort of King Sejo). They had issue (3 sons).
↑Married Yun Ban (윤반), Prince Yeongcheon (영천군; 1442–1502) from the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨); eldest son of Princess Jeonghyeon (정현옹주; 1425–1480) and grandson of King Sejong. They had issue (2 sons, 5 daughters).
↑▪︎Wife: Lady, of the Hansan Yi clan (한산 이씨); eldest daughter of County Princess Biin (비인현주; 1427–1514) and granddaughter of Grand Prince Hyoryeong. ▪︎Issue: 6 sons, 3 daughters.
